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(No MoaeL) 4sneet-sheen L R. A. L. BLONDEL.

TANK.

No.42879. PatentedJune 10,1890.

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R. A. L. BLONDEL.

TANK.

190.429,8'79. Patented June 10, 1890.

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A TTOHNE YS AM t B e h S .w e e h S 4 .L E D N 0 L B L A. R. .u d 0 M 0 W TANK.

No. 429,879. Patented June 10, 1890.

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RICHARD A. L. BLONDEL, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 429,879, dated June 10, 1890.

Application tiled February 15, 1890. Serial No. 340,533. (No model.)

ii ushing valve, when opened and released, will close slowly or be retarded in its closing movement, in novel constructions by which to effect the opening of such discharge-valve, and in novel after-filling constructions.

The invention consists, further, in certain details of construction and novel combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l is a Vertical longitudinal section of the tank provided with my improvements, showing also the construction, arrangement, and connections of the closet-seat and bellows for filling the tank-bellows. Fig. 2 is top plan view of the tankwith the improvements in place. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, of the tank, showing simply the tank, its outlet valve, the tank-bellows and its support and attachments, and the connections between said bellows and valve. Fig. 4 is a sectional view showing the lever construction for operating the discharge-valve and tank-bellows. Fig. 5 shows the construction of the discharge-valve seat, and Fig. 6 shows the after-filling mechanism comprising the valve and its operating-float.

The tank A is provided with the discharge opening a, controlled by the valve B, which may preferably be guided in its vertical movements by guide-pins b. The valve-seat h may by preference be threaded into place, so it can be conveniently removed when desired. N'Vithin the tank I pivot the lever C, which is connected by ,rod C', or other suitable connections, with the valve B, so that the proper movements vof lever O may open the saidvalve and permit it to close, as'will be more fully described.

A bellows D is supported on a cross-bar E,

extended across the top of. the tank, or is otherwise suitably supported above the tank. This bellows, except in the particulars hereinafter specified, may be of ordinary construction, and preferably has its sides formed of india-rubber or gum. At its expanding end this bellows is connected by a rod F with the lever O, so that the bellows will be expanded' or filled when the lever is operated to open the discharge-valve. This bellows operates to retard the closing of the valve B and to cause the same to close slowly, to which end the lever and rods intermediate said bellows and valve form, broadly, connections between said parts, and it is obvious that it would iuvolve no departure from this broad feature of my invention to connect the bellows and valve B by a single intermediate rod orother suitable connection, so that the closing of the valve will be retarded bythe slowemptying of the bellows. It is preferred, however, to employ the lever O and other intermediate connections, as shown. An arm G extends from the bellows and supports a weight g, which is adjustable along arm G, so that it can operate with greater or less force on the bellows. This weight operates as a counter-bal'- ance and causes the bellows to empty slower than it otherwise would. As the bellows is filled or expanded, it opens the valve and then permits the valve to slowly close as the bellows empties. It will be seen that if the bellows be arranged to connect with the lever C near its pivot it will when expanded raise such lever and its connected valve higher than if the bellows were connected near the moving end of the lever, in the former case opening the valve to a greater degree than in the latter and permitting the valve to close in the same time in each instance, permitting in the former instance a greater flow than in the latter because of the greater extent to which the valve is opened.

To regulate the extent to which the valve may be opened, I support the 'bellows so that it may be adjusted. To this end I provide the bellows D with edge flanges d at its base, and the clamps e are bolted or otherwise secured to the crossbar E and bind upon the flanges d, so as to secure the bellows in any suitable adjustment. It will be noticed that the rod IOO F is connected with the lever adjustably, the lever being provided with a series of holes to facilitate such end.

In connection with the Valve and the bellows to retard the closing thereof, I provide a fioat Il, which by its weight hastens the closing of the valve after the water has Afallen in the tank below a certain point. It will be understood that when the tank is full the weight of water on the valve is sufficient to have a tendency to cause same to close, and as the water falls in the tank andthe weight on the valve consequently decreases I arrange the float to exert its weight to hasten the closing of the valve.

In the construction shown the float Il is supported to slide vertically on the rod F, so that on its upward movement it will rise freely,while on its downward 1novement,wl1en the water in the tank passes a certain level, the float will exert its weight on the lever C, and so hasten the closing of the valve. It is manifest that this ball should be of such size and weight as to properly operate in the desired manner.

In operation the lifting of the valve will effect the expansion or filling of the bellows, as will be more fully described, and the reverse is also true-that is to say, the filling orexpansion of thebellows will lift the valve, so that either of said operations may be carried out to open the valve. It is preferred, however, to lift the valve by expanding the tank-bellows. This may be elfeeted by operating devices--snch as a cord-connected with the bellows and so disposed that when drawn upon it will expand the bellows; but it is preferred to use a filling-bellows or pair of bellows, as shown in Fig. l, by which to fill such tank-bellows at will.

In the construction shown in Fig. l I use two filling-bellows I and J, a continent chamber K, into which both such bellows I and J empty, check-valves 'if j, t0 prevent the air from one bellows I or J passing back into the other, and a pipe or tube K connecting` such confluent chamber with the tank-bellows. These bellows I J are alternately emptied, and it is obvious that as each empties into the tank-bellows it will inflate the latter, lift the discharge-valve of the tank, and then permit such valve to close slowly. The top of the confiuent chamber K is preferably threaded into place, so that it can be conveniently removed to permit access to the checkvalves for any desired purpose.

lVhile the bellows I J may be emptied in any desired manner, as by the opening and closing of the closet-door or the like, it is preferred to operate them from the seat of the closet, such seat Lbeing movable, so that it will be depressed when a person sits upon it, and the bellows I J are arranged below suoli seat and one above the other. A lever M is pivoted at m, arranged to be tilted or rocked as the seat is depressed, and is connected and arranged with relation to bellows I and J so that it empties one of such bellows and expands the other in both its directions of movement, the upper bellows I being emptied as the closet-seat is depressed and the lower bellows J being emptied as the closet-seat rises7 the lever M being weighted at M', so that it will properly empty the bellows J. The leveris connected with bellows J by a suitable link or hinge M. A wheel 1l' reduces the friction between the bellows I .I when the bellows J forces bellows I up, and a weight t2 aids in lowering such bellows in the filling thereof.

To avoid the forcing of too much air into the tank-bellows, I provide each of the fillingbellows with means to limit the air forced thereby. To this end I provide the upper bellows with a rod i and 11 ut i, threaded thereon, by which to limit the extent to which such bellows can be expanded, and consequently the amount of air it will force out when emptied. The lower bellows J has a trip-screw or projectionj', which engages its inlet-Valve, such projection] being supported on a lever pivoted to one side of the bellows, and a rod or trip l7'2 being adj ustabl y supported on the opposite side of the bellows and beiugarranged so that the projection j can open the inletvalve at any predetermined time, and so quickly empty the bellows J. Manifestly the lever N forms a simple convenient means for operating the bellows I J, and is much prev ferred. Still it would involve no departure from the broad principles of this lfeature of my invention to use other intermediate devices between the closet-seat and the fillingbellows I and J. By the use of both bellows I and J, I get both a before and an after wash, but where but a single wash is desired but one of such bellows need be nsed-thc bellows I for the beforewash, or the bellows J for the afterwash. It will also be understood that the bellows I J may be made of.' different size to provide a large after-wash and a small beforewash, or to otherwise vary t-he washes as may be desired.

lVhile, as before stated, the valve may be opened by expanding or filling the tankbellows, it may be preferred in some instances to use other devices for opening t-he valve. In Fig. Je I show such construction consisting of a lever N, pivoted at n, and having catolibars N N2 on opposite sides of its pivot, which, as the lever is rocked on its pivot, alternately engage suitable bearings on the lever C, and lift such lever C and the Valve therewith connected. This lever N is actuated in one direction by the aid of a pull-chain or other suitable operating device and in its opposite direction by a weight N 3.

On the catch-bars N N2, I provide cams n n2, which by engaging suitable bearings or projections O O2 on a fixed support O operate to release the catch-bar from the lever C, when the said lever has been lifted to a suitable height. Manifestly one of the catch-bars N N2 may be omitted, if only a before or an ZOO IIO

after wash is'desired, and it is also manifest,

that the weight N3 may be puton the oppovsite end of lever N, and such end be pushed up instead of drawn down in the use of the It will also be understood that in shallow tanks the rod C may be omitted andthe tank.

' the branch pipe R, extending up and arching over and emptying in the overflow-pipe S, the iioat Q being arranged to close its valve q shortly before the float P closes the valve p, so that a portion of the last water emptied into the tank may be discharged over into the overflow-pipe and serve as an afterill to fill the trap of the closet. Such devices p, p, q, Q, Q', and R are not claimed specifically herein, as they are included in the subject-matter of an application for Patent, Serial No. 331,57 7, filed by me November 25, 1889. Such construction, however, provides a convenientafterfill for making the afterill when the supply is on. Now to effect the after-filling when the supply is shut off and to cause the very last portion of the water which may flow from the tank to effect the after-filling of the trap, I provide the construction shown most clearly in Fig. 6, in which an outlet s is arran ged belowtheoutletof the d is'charge-valve an d is controlled by a valve S, from which extends an arm S', formed or provided with cam-like portion or portions S2, which are arranged to be engaged by a oat T, such float being shown as guided on a rod t, and being arranged to engage the cam-like portions S2 successively as the water falls in the tank, and which, when the water is low down in the tank, will open the valve S andA permit the water to empty slowly through outlet s to fill the trap of the closet or the like.

It will be seen that I provide my tank with two afterlills, one for iilling the trap when the supply is on and the other to effect such filling when the supply is off, and so far as I am informed this is broadly new in sanitary service-tanks.

In order to open the valve by hand in case the filling bellows or tubes should get out of order, I provide in the tank alever U, to which is connected a catch-bar u, which detach-ably engages the lever connected with and forming a part of the valve, such catch-bar being provided with a cam a2, and arelatively-fixed bearing or projection .n3 being provided in the tank for engagement by the said cam u2 to trip the catch-bar out of engagement with the part it. detachably engages. At its top the bellows D has a regulating-screw, which regulates the closing of the bellows and may be adjusted to let the air escape fast or slow.

Having thus described my invention, what claim as new is l. The combination, with the tank, its discharge-valve, and a bellows connected with said valve, of two filling-bellows, connections between said filling-bellows and the said first bellows, and operating devices by which said filling-bellows may be alternately emptied, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, substantially as hereindescribed, of the closet-seat movably supported, the two iilling-bcllows and operating connections by which the movement of the seat may be caused to alternately empty the said filling-bellows, and the valve-operating devices and connections between thc same and the iilling-bellows, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, substantially vas described, of the closet-scat, the two filling-bellows supported adjacent to the said seat and to each other, and a pivoted lever arranged to be tilted by the seat as the latter is depressed, such lever being arranged to empty one bellows and expand the other when the seat is depressed, and being provided with a weight by which to empty the latter bellows when the closet-seat rises, and the valve-operating devices and connections between the same and the filling-bellows, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The combination of the tank, its discharge-valve, a bellows connected with said valve, the two iillingbellows, a confluent chamber into which said filling-bellows empty, suitable check-valves, and a connection be tween said continent chamber and the first bellows, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. The combination ofthe tank, its discharge-valve, and the bellows adj ustably supported. and connected with the dischargevalve, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. Y

6. The combination of the tank, its dischargevalve, a pivot-ed lever arranged above and connected with the valve, a bellows arranged abovc said lever-,a rod connecting the lever and bellows, and a float supported to slide on saidrod, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the tank and its discharge-valve, of the bellows connected with the valve and provided at its base with edge flanges, the support for said bellows, and the clamps connected with said support and adapted to bind upon the base-anges of the bellows, whereby the latter may be secured in its different adjustments, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of the tank, the afteriilling valve, a rod orbar connected with said valve and provided with a plurality of calnlike portions or projections, and a float arranged to successively engage such portions or projections, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of the tank, the discharge-valve, a lever or its equivalent, a catchbar connected with one of such parts of the lever or valve and detachably engaging the other one of such parts and provided with a cam, and a bearing arranged for engagement IIO by the said cam, whereby to trip the catchbar out of engagement with the part it detachably engages, substantially as set forth.

l0. The combination of the tank, its valve, mechanism for openinr such Valve, including a lever C, a rod F, extending up therefrom, and a connection between the lever C and the valve, and a float supported to slide on the rod F, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

1l. The combination ot' the tank, its discharge-valve, a bellows connected with the Valve and adapted to retard the closing of same, and a float by which to accelerate the closing of the valve, such float being' arranged to accelerate the closing of the valve before the bellows ceases its retarding action, substantially as set set forth.

12. The combination of the tank, the after- Iilling Valve, a rod o1' bar connected with such valve and having a cam-like portion o1' projection, and a float supported independently of said rod or bar and arranged to engage the cam-like portion or projection thereof, snbst'aniially as set forth.

13. The combination of the tank, its discharge-valve, a bellows connected with said valve, the illing-bellows by which to fill said lirst bellows, and adjustable controlling devices by which to limit the air forced by said filling-bellows, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

14. The combination of the tank, its discharge-valve, the bellows supported above the water-level of the tank, the lever C, pivotcd within the tank, a connection C between said lever and the valve, and a connection F bctween said lever and the bellows, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

l5. The combination of the tank, the afteriilling valve,a rod or bar pivotally supported and connected with the valve and havingr an upwardlyprojected portion provided with cani-like portions or projections, and a float arranged to rise and fall alongside of said npwardly-projeeted portion and to engage the cam-like parts or projections the1eo'i,all snbstantially as and for the purposes set forth.

RICHARD A. L. BLONDEL.

Witnesses:

JN0. T. MADDoX,

WM. II. KAISER, PHILIP IVI. ENRIGHT. 

